It is common during the summer months for many homeowners to have large gatherings at their homes. From Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, there are many beautiful weekends and holidays which present perfect opportunities to bring friends and family together. However, if you own a home with a septic system, you need to plan for more than how many hot dogs to buy for your barbecue. You should also be preparing for the extra stress these parties can have on your septic system.
Preparing For Extra Guests
Your septic system is designed to handle the daily load for your household, but not necessarily a dozen or more extra guests at one time. To offset this extra load, you should plan for the big day ahead of time. Here are a few ways to reduce stress on your septic system during a large party:
- Water usage. Showers, laundry and other large water usages should be handled prior to the day of the party. Do food prepping and other tasks that require water in the days before the event.
- Use disposable plates and cups. Cut down on the amount of dishes you will need to wash by only using disposal items which can be thrown away.
- Post bathroom rules. Politely let guests know what cannot be flushed down the toilet by posting a reminder in your bathroom. If it is a very large party, you may want to consider renting a portable bathroom that can be used outside.
- Pump your tank. If you have not had your septic tank pumped in awhile, having it pumped prior to a large party can ensure that there is room in the tank to handle the extra waste. Plan ahead to arrange septic tank pumping before the date arrives.
With a little planning, you can have a successful summer party without ending up with a septic emergency when you have a house full of guests.
Posted on behalf of Seagraves Plumbing Septic and Sewer
